Diaphragm type actuator, fulcrum, and seal



May 4, 1954 w. A. MARTIN DIAPHRAGM TYPE ACTUATOR, FULCRUM, AND SEAL Filed DSC. l, 1950 Patented May 4, 1954 DIAPHRAGM TYPE ACTUATOR, FULCRUM, AND SEAL Wilbert A. Martin, Freeport, Ill., assigner to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Application December 1, 1950, Serial No. 198,672

6 Claims.

This invention relates to an actuator and to a novel pivotal support therefor, an important embodiment being an enclosed gas lled or evacuated device such as a precision snap acting switch.

The invention is herein shown and described in connection with a sealed precision switch; though plainly not limited to such use. Small precision switches have many uses wherein the spring system is arranged to operate in an enclosure either evacuated or iilled with gas under pressure. In such switches the spring system is located in a sealed chamber and an operating lever is mounted for access from the outside of the casing. One difliculty with such switches is to provide a support member for the lever that can be sealed to the lever and to the switch body so as to provide a positively sealed chamber while at the same time providing a ixed fulcrum for the lever. A serious problem in connection with devices of this character is the practical difiiculty of sealing a rotary bearing and the fact that where a flexible membrane is employed the sealing member tends to move into and out of the switch when pressure is applied to the operating lever or with changes in atmospheric pressure outside the switch housing, so that the position of the pivotal axis about which the lever swings changes, thereby changing the operating characteristics of the switch.

An object of the invention is the provision of a L novel actuator for a switch or the like comprising a flexible fulorum and a lever secured thereto for exing the fulcrum to transmit rotary motion therethrough.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combined fulerum and seal for a. lever operated switch or the like that has a relatively long life, that is capable of being positively sealed to a housing, that is inexpensive to produce, and that is positive in its action.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a metallic fulcrum and seal permitting maximum flexure in a plane at right angles to a plane having the greatest resistance to exure.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a metallic fulcrum adapted for mounting a lever in the wall of a sealed chamber so constructed that rotation of the lever on the fulcrum occasions substantially no change in the volume of the chamber.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a top plan view of a snap action switch embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the lines 2-2 of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 2 with the lever in its operating position;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

The invention is shown embodied in an actuator for a precision snap acting switch. For purposes of illustrating the invention the snap acting switch shown is oi the totally enclosed gas iilled type and includes a housing I I having a chamber I2 for the reception of a snap spring system I3 including tension and compression members Ifl and I6 anchored on a bracket I'I suitably supported in the chamber I2. The spring system is actuated by an operating lever I8 including an internal arm I9 disposed in the chamber I2, an external arm 2I in parallel relation with the arm I9 and spaced outwardly from the top of the switch housing and a rivet 22 securing the arms together and extending through an opening 2B formed in the top of the housing as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The internal arm I9 is provided with a domeshaped projection 23 shaped to engage a bridging portion 24 interconnecting the tension members I4. The snap spring system and arms I9 and 2| are arranged so that the opening 2t in the housing II through which the rivet 22 extends is formed near one end of the housing and the arm I9 extends lengthwise of the housing to engage the bridging portion 24 and the arm 2l is in spaced parallel relation to the arm I9 and also eX- tends lengthwise of the switch housing as best shown in Figs. l and 2. In other embodiments of the invention the lever I8 may take other shapes and forms and lie in planes other than those herein shown.

One phase of the invention is concerned with a novel combined seal and fulcrum that is capable of supporting the lever I8 so that the latter may be swung about a fixed pivot and that also provides a positive seal between the lever and the housing II to insure the maintenance of a preselected atmosphere in the housing. As best seen in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 the fulcrum and seal member is a diaphragm 26 having a central openingvdeiined by an inner peripheral edge 28 and an outer perimeter 29. The inner peripheral edge 28 is adapted to be in sealed relation with the lever I8. To this end, as best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the rivet 22 is formed with an annular shoulder 3| shaped to abut against one side of the diaphragm 26 and a portion 32 having a reduced cross-sectional area, the latter being shaped to be snugly eccived within the opening defined by the peripheral edge 28 in the diaphragm 26. A Spacer 33 iitting over the portion 32 forms a shoulder B engageable with the opposite side of the diaphragm. `Flaring of the extreme outer ends of the rivet as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 secures the arms I9 and 2l to the rivet and also secures the inner peripheral edges of the diaphragm `between the shoulders 3! and 3d. To insure a positive seal, the` rivet 22, spacer 33, and the area 2l adjacent the edge 28 of the diaphragm 2B are tinplated and after the components have been assembled as shown, the unit is heated so that the tin flows and seals the joint.

The outer perimeter 2t is also in sealed relation to the switch housing II. In the embodiment shown, the top of the housing I i is formed with an outwardly projecting boss 35 adjacent one end of the housing having internal dimensions slightly less than the outer dimensions' ci the diaphragm 25 and an outside diameter slightly greater than the diaphragm. The boss 36 is formed with a counterbore for receiving the diaphragm, the bottom of the counterbore forming a shoulder 3l' against which the perimeter of the diaphragm abuts. The remaining wall portion 38 of the counterbored boss is deformed inwardly over the outwardly facing edge at the perimeter of the diaphragm so as to secure the diaphragm in position as best shown in Figs. and' 6. Toinsure a duid-tight seal the joints may be sealed by tinplate as` described hereinhefore.

In the embodiment of the invention herein shown the diaphragm, which is otherwise flat, is formed with opposed corrugated portions segments 42 and 43 on dianretrically opposite sides of the inner edge 28, Figs. 4 and 5, each of which comprises radially spaced concentric corrugations 44, the ends of which are annularly spaced by ilat portions or segments 39 and 4I extending diametrically outward from the inner edge 2B in the form of a at band or area extending transversely across the diaphragm and preferably coplanar with the perimeter 29. As cest seen in Fig. 4, the annular length of the portions 39, 4I, 42 and 43 preferably increases progressively in a radial direction from the'centerline of the inner edge 2s and the corrugations 44 are of maximum width and height at their centers and taper progressively toward the ends so as to merge into the plane of the transverse band as shown in Fig. 6.

In this embodiment of the invention, each corrugated portion i2 and 43 has two arcuate-shaped corrugations 4d. It is to be understood, however, that more or less corrugations may be used depending on the size and shape of the diaphragm, and that the corrugations may have other shapes. The corrugations 44 in thecorrugated portions of the diaphragm 2c increase the ilexibility of these portions in the direction of desired motion, permitting movement with respect to the flat portions 39 and 4I. This diierential iexibility of the diaphragm 26 is of primary importance in the invention, since, as previously described, the diaphragm 2S is positioned so that the plane of the longitudinal axis of the lever IS is intermediate the flat portions 39 and 4I and bisects the corrugated portions 42 and 43. The pivotal axis about which the lever Iswings is thus in effect an axis or line that extends transversely across the diaphragm in the relatively flat portions 39 and 4I. With this-construction the lever pivots v employed within the scope of. the invention.

about an axis defined by the most rigid portions of the diaphragm and the flexing of the diaphragm occurs primarily in the more Ilexible corrugated portions thereof. Under these conditions stressing of the parts is controlled in a predetermined manner so as to insure maximum operating life of the seal and diaphragm.

The invention contemplates a diaphragm formed of a substantially inelastic material which does not stretch appreciably by elongation in order to prevent the diaphragm from moving axially of the rivet 22 in and out of the housing, and thereby change the operating characteristics of the switch or other mechanism operated by the actuator. By elongation is meant an increase in the total surface area of the diaphragm. The preferred material is metal but a metal diaphragm if made in the form of a at disk will not withstand the necessary elongation at least over an appreciable number of operations. In the resent invention, the material of the diaphragm at the corrugations nexos to make the corrugations at one side of the lever attachment shallower than their normal configuration. This provides the material for permitting the diaphragm to be extended at this side of the lever attachment and avoids elongating the material of the diaphragm *o effect this extension. ofy the diaphragm. The transverse band, being uncorrugated, causes the axis to remain in a fixed position. Ii the diaphragm is supported to prevent movement of its outer periphery, it must be extensible not only along the plane through which the lever moves, but also perpendicular to this plane, and inv that event the corrugations must be such as to permit the diaphragm to be extended by exing of the material of the diaphragm at thel corrugations inboth of these directions. This can best be accomplished by making the corrugations curved as shown in Fig. 4. It will be observed that straight corrugations tend to stiilfen along the length of the corrugation, whereas if a curved corrugation is restrained at each end while a transverse force is applied intermediate its ends, the corrugation tends to pivot about its ends so that it does not oppose deiiection of the diaphragm but might be said to assist it. Angles and sharp bends in the corrugations should be avoidedy as stress raisers, that is, stresses are concentrated at such locations and may easily exceed the elastic limit of the metal. It will be seen that the shape of the diaphragm at the perimeter is relatively unimportant and a wide variety of patterns for the corrugations may be It is possible to use discontinuous corrugations if. the discontinuities are properly located and other provision is made for extending the diaphragm in the direction of the discontinuities. Due to the rigidity of the flat portions 39 and M and the manner in which they are supported, the latter do not move appreciably into and out of the housing with a pumping action upon application' of pressure to the actuator I E and thereby change the volume and pressure characteristics of the gas in the chamber I2 in the switch housing II. In this construction it is apparent that when one of the corrugated portions exes inwardly of the chamber I2 the other flexes outwardly a substantially equal amount so that the volume and pressure in the switch housing I I do not change appreciably. Also with this construction the rigidity of the flat portions 39 and 4I insures that the pivotal axis does not move with respect to the switch to change the operating characteristics thereof.

I claim:

1. An actuator assembly comprising a thin resilient diaphragm of substantially planar configuration, means for rigidly mounting the diaphragm at its periphery, said diaphragm being formed with a 'fiat planar portion in the form of a fiat band extending across the diaphragm between spaced opposed portions of the periphery of the diaphragm, said diaphragm being formed at opposite sides of said flat portion with corrugated areas, said Corrugated areas in the diaphragm being extensible in a direction toward said flat hand with the diaphragm being extended by exing or" the material of the diaphragm at said corrugations and with the material of the diaphragm twisting at an axis disposed in said at band and extending thereacross between said spaced opposed portions of the periphery of the diaphragm without elongating the material of the diaphragm, a lever attached to said iiat portion of the diaphragm at a central portion thereof spaced from the periphery oi the diaphragm, and means for mounting said assembly for operative pivotal movement of the lever about said axis of the diaphragm disposed in said hat band, said corrugated areas each having a plurality of crescent-shaped corrugations extending, in spaced relation from the lever attachment, from said fiat band of the diaphragm at one side of the lever attachment to said flat band of the diaphragm at the opposite side of the lever attachment to permit extension oi the diaphragm by flexing at said corrugations, in a direction parallel to the plane in which the lever moves while at the same time avoiding elongating the material of the diaphragm, said hat band and said corrugated areas oi the diaphragm blending into each other to present a progressive development from a flat state to a corrugated state, the corrugations increasing progressively from their ends to corrugations or major intensity midway between their ends along the diameter at` right angles to the aforementioned axis of the diaphragm.

2. An actuator assembly comprising a thin resilient diaphragm of substantially planar coniiguration, means rigidly mounting the diaphragm at its periphery, said diaphragm being formed i Y from the periphery of the diaphragm, the diaphragm at opposite sides oi said flat band being formed with corrugated areas, said corrugated areas each having a plurality of crescent-shaped corrugations extending around the lever attachment in spaced` relation therefrom from said i'lat band of the diaphragm at one side of the lever attachment to said hat band of the diaphragm at the opposite side oi t .e lever attachment, said corrugated areas in the diaphragm being extensible in a direction toward an axis of the diaphragm lying in said flat band and extending thereacross between said spaced opposed portions of the periphery or the diaphragm by flexing of the material of the diaphragm at said corrugations to permit the diaphragm to be extended in said direction and to permit twisting of the diaphragm at said axis lying in said flat band Without elongating the material of the diaphragm, said corrugated areas in the diaphragm being extensible in a direction toward the ends of the crescent-shaped corrugations by flexing of the material of the diaphragm at said corrugations to permit the diaphragm to be extended in said direction without elongating the material of the diaphragm, means for mounting said assembly for operative pivotal movement of the lever about said axis lying in said flat band of the diaphragm, and means at the inner side of the diaphragm positioned to be actuated by said lever upon said operative movement thereof.

3. An actuator assembly comprising a thin diaphragm of iiexible, substantially non-stretchable material and substantially planar in conguration, a rigid support iixedly mounting the diaphragm at its periphery, said diaphragm being formed with a ilat planar portion in the form of a flat band extending across the diaphragm between spaced opposed portions of te periphery of the diaphragm restraining the diaphragm from bodily translatory movement with respect to said mounting means and normally maintaining the diaphragm in its substantially planar conguration, a lever attached to said flat band of the diaphragm at a central portion thereof spaced from the periphery of the diaphragm, the diaphragm at opposite sides of said flat band being formed with corrugated areas, said corrugated areas each having a plurality oi curved corrugations extending around the lever attachment in spaced relation therefrom from said flat band of the diaphragm at one side of the lever attachment to said flat band of the diaphragm at the opposite side of the lever attachment, flat planar portions of the diaphragm separating the corrugations at each corrugated area, said corrugated areas in the diaphragm being extensible in direction toward an axis of the diaphragm lying in said flat band and extending thereacross between said spaced opposed portions of the periphery of the diaphragm by iiexing of the material of the diaphragm at said corrugations to permit the diaphragm to be extended in said direction and to permit twisting of the diaphragm at said axis lying in said hat band Without elongating the material of the diaphragm, said corrugated areas in the being extensible in a direction toward said flat band by iiexing of the material of the diaphragm at said corrugations to permit the diaphragm to be extended in said direction without elongating the material of the diaphragm, means for mounting said assembly for operative pivotal movement or the lever about said axis lying in saidL iiat band of the diaphragm, and means at the inner side or the diaphragm positioned to be actua-ted by said lever upon said operative movement thereof.

4. In an actuator assembly, the combination or" a substantially dat planar of flexible, substantially non-stretchable material, and a rigid support connected to said diaphragm around the periphery thereof and xedly mounting the periphery of the diaphragm, said diaphragm being formed with a iiat planar portion in the form of a iiat band passing through the middle of the diaphragm and extending across the diaphragm between spaced opposed portions of the periphery of the diaphragm restraining the diaphragm from bodily translatory movement with respect to said support and normally maintaining the diaphragm in its substantially planar configuration, the diaphragm at opposite sides of said flat band being formed with corrugated areas having crescent-shaped corrugations extending around a central area of said flat bandI at the middle of the diaphragm from said flat band of the diaphragm at one side of said central area to said flat band of the diaphragm at the opposite side of said central area, said corrugated areas in the diaphragm being extensible in a direction toward an axis of the diaphragm lying in said iiat band and extending across the diaphragm through said central area of the flat band between said spaced opposed portions of the periphery of the diaphragm by flexing of the material of the diaphragm at said crescentshaped corrugations to permit the diaphragm to be extended in said direction and to permit twisting of the diaphragm at said axis lying in said flat band without elongating the material oi the diaphragm, said hat band in the diaphragm and said ixed mounting of the periphery of the diaphragm on said support restraining the diaphragm from iicxing about an axis extending through said corrugated areas in the diaphragm.

5. In an actuator assembly for a switch, the combination of a substantially flat planar diaphragm of flexible, substantially non-stretchable material, a switch housing connected to said diaphragm around the periphery 'thereof and fixedly mounting the periphery of the diaphragm, and a U-shaped lever attached to said diaphragm at the center thereof and having spaced, parallel arms extending at opposite faces of the diaphragm away from the attachment of the lever to the diaphragm, said diaphragm being formed with a dat planar portion in the form of a fiat band extending across the diaphragm transversely of the direction in which said spaced lever arms extend and extending through said center thereof between spaced opposed portions of the periphery of the diaphragm restraining the diaphragm from bodily translatory movement with respect to said switch housing and normally maintaining the diaphragm in its substantially planar configuration, the diaphragm at opposite sides of said flat band being formed with corrugated areas having curved corrugations extending around the lever attachment from said flat band of the diaphragm at said one side of said center thereof to said hat band of the diaphragm at the opposite side of said center thereof, said corrugated areas in the diaphragm being extensible in a direction toward an axis of the diaphragm lying in said flat bandand extending across the diaphragm through said center 'thereof between said spaced opposed portions of the periphery of the diaphragm by flexing of the material of the diaphragm at said corrugations to permit the diaphragm to be extended in said direction and to permit twisting of the diaphragm at said axis lying in said flat band without elongating the material of the diaphragm when said lever is pivoted about said axis, said nat band in the diaphragm and said iixed mounting of the periphery of the diaphragm on said switch housing restraining the diaphragm from flexing about an axis extending through said corrugated areas in the diaphragm to thereby restrain the lever against pivoting about an axis extending through said corrugated areas in the diaphragm.

6. In a switch assembly, the combination of a switch housing formed at one side with a hole and a rigid annular flange extending around said hole and projecting outward from the switch housing, a substantially planar disk of ilex- Vible, substantially non-stretchable metal supported xedly around its entire periphery by said ilange and extending across said hole in the switch housing, a U-shaped lever attached to the center of said risk and having spaced, parallel arms, one of said lever arms extending along the outside of said switch housing away from said one end thereof and toward the opposite end of the switch housing and the other of said lever arms extending in the same direction inside the switch housing, and switch operating mechanism within said switch housing located between the ends of the switch housing and positioned to be engaged by said other lever arm to operate the switch, said diaphragm being formed with a fiat planar portion in the form of a flat band extending diametrically across -the diaphragm transversely of the direction in which said lever arms extend restraining the diaphragm from bodily translatory movement with respect to said switch housing and normally maintaining the diaphragm in its substantially planar configuration, the diaphragm at opposite sides of said nat band being formed with corrugated areas having corrugations extending around the attachment of the lever to the diaphragm from said iiat band of the diaphragm at said one side of said center thereof to said at band of the diaphragm at the opposite side of said center thereof, said corrugated areas in the diaphragm being extensible toward an axis of the diaphragm lying in said flat band by flexing of the materia-l of the diaphragm at said corrugations to permit the diaphragm to be extended in said direction and to permit twisting of the diaphragm at said axis lying in said flat band without elongating the material of the diaphragm when said lever is pivoted about said axis, said fiat band in the diaphragm and said xed mounting periphery o1' the diaphragm on said switch housing restraining the diaphragm from flexing about an axis extending through said corrugated areas in the diaphragm to thereby restrain the lever against pivoting about an axis extending through said corrugated areas in the diaphragm.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,468,512 Riche Apr. 26, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 499,874 Great Britain Jan. 23, 1939 

